A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to amend and clarify the statutes governing the clearance of wrecked vehicles and other traffic obstacles from public highways, as recommended by the department of Transportation.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑161(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	An investigating law enforcement officer, with the concurrence of the Department of Transportation, or the Department of Transportation, with the concurrence of the investigating law enforcement officer, may immediately remove or cause to be removed from the State highway system any wrecked, abandoned, disabled, unattended, burned, or partially dismantled vehicle, cargo, or other personal property interfering with the regular flow of traffic or which otherwise constitutes a hazard. In the event of a motor vehicle crash involving serious personal injury or death, no removal shall occur until the investigating law enforcement officer determines that adequate information has been obtained for preparation of a crash report. No state or local law enforcement officer, Department of Transportation employee, or person or firm contracting or assisting in the removal or disposition of any such vehicle, cargo, or other personal property shall be held criminally or civilly liable for any damage or economic injury related to carrying out or enforcing the provisions of this section."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to any obstructions to traffic arising on or after 12:01 A.M. of the day following that date.